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For many cruisers, finding the cheapest cabin available for a good deal is the right choice for them. On many Royal Caribbean ships, the size of an aft balcony can be gargantuan compared to a balcony on the side of the ship. The more I cruised, the more I started hearing from veteran cruisers about the virtues of booking a balcony on the back of the ship. You'll find a huge range of cabins all around the ship and at all sorts of prices, from the affordable to the outrageous.
Cabins near the elevators are the most convenient
When planning your next cruise, study the layout and architecture of the ship's deck plans before selecting your cabin. Think about what is important to you and consider the cost differential. If your vacation time is limited, you might want to spend a few more dollars for a better cabin. This is because they sometimes incorporate the oddly angled interior spaces that exist at the front of ships, which often have slanted fronts. As mentioned above, forward-facing cabins often will not have balconies, as the wind over the bow of a ship that's underway is such that a balcony isn't practical.
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A balcony stateroom, as you might have guessed, has a balcony with a sliding door that allows you to get some fresh air and take in the views. The upside is outside access and a private space for breakfast or stargazing. We also recommend avoiding the lower decks at the front of the ship, where you'll likely hear the anchor chain moving up and down at every port of call. Those seeking a good night's rest should avoid cabins near the pool deck. Additionally, if you're anywhere near elevators, casinos, theaters or nightclubs, your chances of sleeping will sink faster than the Heart of the Ocean at the end of "Titanic."
What are the cheapest cruise ship cabins?
Royal Caribbean puts its kids club and sports deck activities at the top of its ships. If you are traveling with kids, have mobility issues, like to party at the pool, or are sailing to Alaska, the choice of the best deck could vary considerably. Let's dispel with the notion that there is a universal deck choice that's perfect for everyone, because there isn't such a thing. Instead, there are reasons to pick one deck over another depending on your personal preferences.
That means that some cabins will have a Jacuzzi blocking their view of the ocean. Around 12.5% of people suffer from claustrophobia (the fear of enclosed spaces) and a further 1% suffer from agoraphobia (the fear of not being able to escape). Many of these sufferers will want to avoid elevators (or lifts, as they’re known in the UK). If you’re cruising to somewhere with stunning scenery, then it’s wise to go for a balcony stateroom on a higher deck. Motion sickness is something a lot of new cruisers fear, often without need, as contemporary ships are smooth and stable. But if you do worry that you might feel a little unwell, think about the location of your stateroom.
A cabin near the dining hall pays off at mealtimes
Given how much time you're likely to spend walking around the atrium, it's certainly not a bad idea to think about reserving a cabin as close to the area as possible. That said, you can employ a variety of smart cruise ship cabin hacks to improve on the basic cabin design. Some cruise lines offer cruise cabin guarantee fares, which are typically the cheapest rate you can get for a cabin in any category. You're guaranteed (hence the name) a room on the ship in the category you paid for — or higher. You might also get nicer amenities such as name-brand toiletries, higher-thread-count sheets and linens, stocked minibars or fancy robes to enjoy on board.
Most balconied cabins do not have verandas large enough for a lounge chair where you can lie down and sunbathe in private. The balconies are often narrow, just wide enough for two chairs and a small table. If you want a larger balcony, look for a cabin on the rear of the ship.
The issue with being near a casino on a ship goes beyond just noise — and they definitely can be noisy. On many cruise ships, the casino is the only interior place where smoking is allowed, and it thus draws a steady flow of people lighting up. The areas around elevator banks and stairways on cruise ships can be noisy, just like they can be at land-based resorts and hotels. You'll get people milling around talking as they wait for an elevator car.
Cabins near elevators
However, if you're a deep sleeper and don't mind the odd noise, grabbing a cabin near the elevators could be your cruise masterstroke. The main pool deck is always one of the most active areas on a cruise ship. While between destinations, most guests opt to spend their time lounging around the pool, taking in the sun, enjoying a beverage, and soaking in the water.
A cruise is a nearly all-inclusive getaway filled with exotic destinations, five-star dining and a full daily calendar of special activities. If you are prone to motion sickness, however, you might worry you'll spend the entire cruise in misery. Choose your cabin location carefully to minimize the risk for seasickness. The best location on a cruise ship depends on the person, so don't assume there is a perfect deck for everyone. Cruising is a very personal type of vacation, where everyone has their own experience.
For those who are looking to enjoy some nightlife, having a room close to the atrium will allow you ready access to some of the ship's foremost points of interest. In addition, given the atrium's central location on the ship, it also means easier passage from one end of the ship to the other. As the name suggests, an inside cabin is located in the ship's center without window access.
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When you book a hotel or resort, your choices might include one king bed or two queen beds; garden view or beach view; a standard room, suite or perhaps a villa or casita. On cruise ships, the basic cabin categories are inside, outside (often called ocean view), balcony and suite — but there are subcategories, as well. If all of this information is confusing, it just demonstrates how much diversity there is among cruise ship cabins.
When I cruised from Florida, we once saw dolphins playing in the water next to the ship. We had a high deck, but it would have been even better to see them up close from a lower deck. Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.
If you're interested in a spa cabin, you'll want to book far in advance. But go a couple more decks down, and you're often right on top of interior entertainment decks that are home to music lounges, theaters and other noisy venues. Many readers are curious which side of the ship they should pick for the room, and I believe it does not matter at all. In short, you don't need to book a suite to have a great room on a cruise.
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